Kitsap County Sheriff s Office Home Security Evaluations. Citizen Self-Evaluation Guide June 2014

Transcription

1 Kitsap County Sheriff s Office Home Security Evaluations Citizen Self-Evaluation Guide June

2 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION Burglary victims often feel vulnerable and violated as their personal space has been invaded. Statistically, residential burglaries, occur during the day while families are out work, shopping, or at school. The most common entry technique is to kick in a rear door; forcing the wooden jamb to give way. Common household tools such as; hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars and pliers may be utilized to gain entry into your home as well. Vehicle prowls occur during the night. Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle. 2

3 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION (Continued) Unfortunately, it is hard to catch burglars in the act and harder still to catch them after the fact. While residential burglaries seem random in nature, there is a simple selection process used by burglars. A residence can become a prime target due to the following: Non occupied Easy access Concealed access Quick escape routes Indications that no one is home- uncollected mail, newspapers, trash bins 3

4 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION (Continued) Once inside a residence, burglars look for small, expensive items that are easily traded for drugs or pawn for cash. Favorite items include: Cash Jewelry, Watches Laptops Game Consoles DVD Disks Guns Small Electronic Devices 4

5 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY PREVENTION (Continued) Protect your property and make your home less susceptible to become a target with the following actions: 1. Make illegal entry more difficult. 2. Make illegal entry riskier. 3. Make illegal entry less rewarding. 4. Provide early warning of illegal entry or attempted entry. 5

6 BRIGHT IDEAS Ways To Discourage Burglars! Install lights at all exterior doors. Use lights at night. Install outside light fixtures where bulbs are not easily accessible. Illuminate house numbers for quick emergency service response. Trim shrubs back from doors and windows. NOTE: Do not give a burglar a place to hide! 6

7 BRIGHT IDEAS (Continued) Foil A Burglary Attempt With LIGHTING! Indoor lights Appearance of an occupied home results in it being a less likely target. Leaving a light on while away is okay, but putting several lights on timers and having them turn on and off as if you were home is better. Supplement your lights with a radio or television timed to your normal listening habits. Exterior lights Exterior lights pose an unmistakable deterrent to thievs. Eliminate darkness or shadows with proper lighting across your property to keep this deterrent in place. NOTE: Survey your property from inside and outside your home for areas that support darkness and shadows. 7

8 BRIGHT IDEAS (Continued) Lighting Hardware 8

9 BRIGHT IDEAS (Continued) Lamp Types and Low Voltage Systems 9

10 BRIGHT IDEAS (Continued) Puget Sound Energy (PSE) They can help! Contact information telephone: or Light Cobra Head 100 or 150 watt light pole Both light and pole can be leased monthly on a contract. 10

11 VEHICLE SMARTS Vehicle Protection Park close the garage door. Garage windows should have coverings. Hide garage door opener from open view in your car. Leave only the ignition key with parking lot attendants. If parking in the driveway, think about installing a motion sensing light to illuminate the vehicle. Remove all valuables from the vehicle. Lock vehicle doors. 11

12 DOORS AND WINDOWS Door and Window Tips Install four-screw strike plates with three or four-inch screws to penetrate the wood door frame. Add auxiliary track-type locks, Charlie Bars, removable drop bars, wooden dowels, cam locks, pinning devices for windows and all sliding glass doors. (Note: Check that you do not damage the window.) Change the locks as soon as possible when moving into a new residence. Always lock your doors and windows whether at home or away. Give your neighbor a spare key. (NOTE: Do not hide a spare key outside.) Use solid core or metal class exterior doors. 12

13 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Anatomy of a Door Frame Door frame Door closes here 13

14 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Typical Door Kick Examples 14

15 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Door Tips Use a dead bolt door lock on exterior doors. If glass is within 3-feet of the lock, use a double cylinder dead bolt lock. (keep in mind that during an emergency you need the key to exit) Install peepholes on doors with 160-degree views. Add a second peephole for wheelchair bound or children. Upgrade locks to defeat bump keying. (NOTE: This is a special key designed to be inserted and struck to align locking pins and open locks.) Install latch guards on door reinforcer. 15

16 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Exterior Door Hardware Striker Plate 16

17 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Window Types Casement Double Hung Single Hung Sliding The second most common entry point during a burglary is an unsecured window. Make sure to install a secondary locking device like the ones shown on the next page. 17

18 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Window Security Hardware 18

19 DOORS AND WINDOWS (Continued) Interior and Exterior Window Coverings If a burglary is very determined to enter your home they may break your window. You can install Hurricane film to help prevent this. Hurricane film is a colorless laminate that goes on your window to help prevent shattering. However it can only be installed on smooth glass and is less effective on small windows like the ones in a French door. 19

20 Alarm Systems Closed Circuit Television and Alarm Systems On the more expensive end of the security hardware spectrum we find alarm systems and closed circuit cameras. Initial cost plus a monthly monitoring fee can be up to $45/month with Wireless backup text. 20

21 Alarm Systems (Continued) Closed Circuit TV and Alarm Systems Pros Alarm systems (monitored or not) are the best proven to prevent burglary Can set up zone alarms. Some models of cameras send or smart phone alerts when camera sees motion. Cons Camera problems: Suspect could wear hoodie to hide from camera or Suspect not recognizable. 21

22 Alarm Systems (Continued) Alarm Registration It is unlawful for any person within the unincorporated areas of Kitsap County to have or maintain on their premises an alarm, whether automatic or semiautomatic, unless the alarm is registered with the Sheriff and the registrations fees are paid. The registration fee is $5.00 and an alarm registration form must be filled out and turned into the Sheriff s Office. The alarm ordinance can be viewed using Adobe Reader. 22

23 LANDSCAPING Landscaping Tips Trim tree branches 7-feet off the ground. Prune shrubs to under 3-feet from the ground. Don t give the bad guys a place to hide. Use motion sensors and photocells on exterior floodlights. Adjust motion sensors and regularly check for activation and sensitivity for proper function. Thorny bushes and trees or similar plants can make an unpleasant barrier. Privacy fences provide the homeowner and the thief privacy. High-security fences are not designed for visual appeal. Barrier trees and other vegetation can supplement for visual appeal or instead of a fence. 23

24 LANDSCAPING (Continued) Property Line Ideas These fences and barriers provide both you and thieves privacy. 24

25 LANDSCAPING (Continued) Prickly Plant Varieties 25

26 EMERGENCY CALL 911 Calling 911 is seen by some as to used in extreme emergencies. We want you to call 911 when anything suspicious is going on so we can decide how to respond. If you call us 30 minutes later often this is too late and there is nothing we can do to catch the bad guys. CALL 911 There is NO business line (non emergency) number in Kitsap County. If you want a Deputy to know about something, call

27 PERSONAL INFORMATION Personal Information Keep valuables in a safe deposit box. Use a locking mailbox. Complete Operation Identification Program. (NOTE: Display the window decals.) Shred bills and other papers with personal information and account numbers before throwing them in the trash. 27

28 PERSONAL INFORMATION (Continued) Operation Identification is nationally recognized by law enforcement as a citizen prevention program. Inventory your marked property on a form with descriptions including brand, model number and serial number. Photograph the items and their serial numbers. Keep information in a safe place. Mark property or valuables with an identifying mark, preferably your driver s license with state abbreviation followed by the number: i.e., WA-SMITHRL946P6. Display the Operation ID decal on windows (available at your local Sheriff s Office) ONLY AFTER items 1 and 2 have been completed to show your participation in the program and to discourage burglary. NOTE: An engraver is available to borrow from the Community Resource Officer. 28

29 DEALING WITH STRANGERS Dealing With Strangers Verify workers by ID cards. Call their employer, if you feel uncomfortable about the visit. Never give keys to workers. Never leave notes for anyone on the door. Do not be afraid or embarrassed to call 911. There is NO business (nonemergency) number in Kitsap County. 29

30 DEALING WITH STRANGERS (Continued) Information To Provide

31 WHILE ON VACATION Going On Vacation Citizens on Patrol (COP) Vacation Check Vacation longer than a week. Free community service offered by KCSO. Call the Sheriff s Office at to request service. 31

32 WHILE ON VACATION (Continued) While You Are Gone Use timers on indoor lights to give the impression you are home. Have expected merchandise delivered to a neighbor s house or workplace. (NOTE: Ensure they are aware and agree to accept delivery.) Ask neighbors to watch your house while you are gone. If possible, hire a House Sitter. Call the newspaper and stop service for the vacation duration. Stop mail delivery for the vacation duration. Ask neighbors to help with your trash bins and flyers. Use your residential alarm system. Park a neighbors car in your driveway. A house that appears lived in less of a target 32

33 WHILE ON VACATION (Continued) When Your Neighbor Is On Vacation Do not be afraid or embarrassed to Call 911 if you see any unusual activity around their property. Remember, there are NO business (non-emergency) telephone numbers in Kitsap County. 33

34 WHILE ON VACATION (Continued) Results Of Good Planning Your Home is your castle so take care of it! 34

35 WHILE ON VACATION (Continued) Community Security Reaching Out You need connection with the neighbors to help protect your home and theirs. For information about a Neighborhood Watch Program, call Deputy Montague, Community Resource Officer, Kitsap County Sheriff s Office at: Telephone: smontagu@co.kitsap.wa.us. 35

36 HOME SECURITY SELF-HELP EVALUATION COMPLETED What Others Have Done Installed alarm system of some type unmonitored or monitored with signs and/or decals displayed. Installed door striker plates and dead bolts on all exterior doors. Installed dowels, Charlie Bar, cam locks for sliding windows and doors. Completed Operation ID packet and/or take photographs of each item and their corresponding serial number. Keep your vehicle remote near your bedside to set off vehicle alarm if you feel there may be a home intruder. Placed a device in the upper track of sliding window or door to prevent lifting and removal. 36

37 HOME SECURITY SELF-HELP EVALUATION COMPLETED (Continued) What Others Have Done (Continued) Installed dusk to dawn lighting and/or motion sensing lighting. Etched property with Owner Applied Numbers. Began shredding bills and other documents with information that can be used for Identity Theft or storing and/or storing documents in a secure place. Planted barrier plants. Cleaned out vehicles of all valuables. Started a Neighborhood Watch Program. 37

38 HOME SECURITY SELF-HELP EVALUATION COMPLETED (Continued) Help the Sheriff Provide your thoughts and comments about the program and changes you would like to make or have made after viewing this Home Security Evaluation Self-Help Guide. Please take a moment to us at COP@co.kitsap.wa.us Your feedback is important! 38